The Parsons 2012 Fashion Benefit

Pier 60, Chelsea Piers. May, 2012. By Jamie Sharpe

Any fun college stories?
“I failed draping!”
Really?
“It was such a shock. I had to go to summer school, and I was told that I would never be a designer and that this field just wasn’t for me.”
—DONNA KARAN

—JULIE GILHART

What did you wear during college?
“I had a ponytail in those days, and it wasn’t subtle. It was a really high ponytail.”
—REED KRAKOFF

—FERN MALLIS

—VIVIENNE TAM (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

Any tragic fashion trends from your own school days?
“Oh, absolutely! One time, I wore my party clothes to class before going out to the clubs in London, and I won a fancy dress competition that I hadn’t even entered.”
—SIMON COLLINS

—SHEILA C. JOHNSON (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

—LISA MAYOCK (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

Any regrettable fashion moments from your student days?
“I had a mullet.”
Really?
“Yes. My entrance exam to Parsons was a self-portrait. My mom still has the drawing.”
—NARCISO RODRIGUEZ (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

—JESSICA PEREZ

—ASHLEIGH VERRIER

Were you a good student?
“No. When I was young, I never got stars on my report cards. Teachers always checked those mean ‘unsatisfactory’ boxes and wrote things like, ‘Doesn’t pay attention in class.’”
—ALEJANDRO INGELMO

—SOPHIA LAMAR

Were you a big partier in college?
“I don’t think I was too crazy, but I loved those Sex on the Beach drinks. That was the best cocktail!”
—PETER SOM (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

—CHRIS BENZ

—JENNé LOMBARDO

What were you like in college?
“I was a pothead.”
Were you a flirt?
“In high school, I realized that I was gay. So, I thought, ‘I can’t wait to unleash it all in college.’ But then I ended up in an all-guys dorm, and they were all straight.”
—STEVEN KOLB

—BIBHU MOHAPATRA

Did you ever go through a shy phase?
“I can’t remember ever being shy.”
—LORENZO MARTONE